The New Orleans Saints are headed to the Super Bowl! Who would have thought it years ago when Saint fans used to show up at games with bags over their heads and called themselves the "Aints".
The NFC Championship game was sloppy to say the least and the Saints probably benefited from poor officiating in their 31-28 overtime win over the Minnesota Vikings. But, nonetheless they are headed to South Florida to take on the mighty Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl 44. Indy has been installed as a six point favorite by Las Vegas but I will be cheering for the underdog Saints and their thousands of fans in the Crescent City. Geaux Saints!
January 25, 2010
Dumbest Commercial Ever
I'm watching Mizzou play Kansas this evening and ESPN keeps showing an ad for Direct TV that may be the dumbest I have ever seen.
Direct TV is trying to capitalize off the concept of a bank holdup to sell it's over-priced service. The ad starts violently, then some bozo actor says he is still able to record his TV shows even though he might not get out of the back on time. The commercial is offensive and insensitive. If I were to sum it up in a word I would say: STUPID!
Direct TV is trying to capitalize off the concept of a bank holdup to sell it's over-priced service. The ad starts violently, then some bozo actor says he is still able to record his TV shows even though he might not get out of the back on time. The commercial is offensive and insensitive. If I were to sum it up in a word I would say: STUPID!
January 13, 2010
Self Righteous Baseball Writers
Since Mark McGwire admitted his use of PEDs (see the post below this one), several nationally prominent members of the Baseball Writers Association of America have taken it upon themselves to criticize McGwire and say they will not vote for him to gain entry to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Peter Gammons, Thomas Boswell and several of the twits on the MLB Network need to quit posturing. McGwire told Bob Costas on Monday he is apologizing to get past the hurt he has been feeling for years and claims he played baseball for the love of the game. He did not say he wants to be in the Hall of Fame. Yet, now Boswell and Gammons say they won't vote for McGwire. Really!
None of these holier than thou types would have voted for McGwire anyway. McGwire's support on the Hall of Fame ballot has continued to decline and his candidacy is dead. So, why now when the man makes a seemingly heartfelt apology do they feel the need to run their mouths about a mute point? Maybe I should write I won't be hitting clean-up for the Cardinals this coming season and the team doesn't need to pay me $15 million dollars per year.
Peter Gammons, Thomas Boswell and several of the twits on the MLB Network need to quit posturing. McGwire told Bob Costas on Monday he is apologizing to get past the hurt he has been feeling for years and claims he played baseball for the love of the game. He did not say he wants to be in the Hall of Fame. Yet, now Boswell and Gammons say they won't vote for McGwire. Really!
None of these holier than thou types would have voted for McGwire anyway. McGwire's support on the Hall of Fame ballot has continued to decline and his candidacy is dead. So, why now when the man makes a seemingly heartfelt apology do they feel the need to run their mouths about a mute point? Maybe I should write I won't be hitting clean-up for the Cardinals this coming season and the team doesn't need to pay me $15 million dollars per year.
Mark McGwire's "Revelation".
More than eleven years ago I was among those who took great pride in St. Louis Cardinal slugger Mark McGwire surpassing Roger Maris' all time home run record. It was a happy moment and many people believe it brought baseball back from disgrace after the strike of 1994. I still carry the vision of the ball sailing over the left field fence on that early September evening in my memories.
But, flash forward to today and that feeling of pride no longer exists. Like many others I suspected McGwire was doing steroids at the time. But, I secretly hoped he wasn't and that it was all God given talent. Now, that McGwire has formally admitted he used the performance enhancing drugs (PED) it leaves a bitter-sweet taste in my mouth.
I feel bad for the man, and it was obvious in his interview with Bob Costas Monday night on the MLB network that he was hurting badly about what he had done and then his cover-up. I know everyone makes mistakes and I have no problem in forgiving him as a baseball fan. I also hope that it brings him some peace of mind and lets him get on with his life and new role as the Cardinals' hitting coach.
I only wish McGwire had gone a step further and admitted the steroids gave him an unfair advantage over the pitchers he faced. Granted McGwire was a powerful and gifted athlete, but I have to believe the PEDs gave him additional strength and allowed him to play through injuries he might not have otherwise. During the interview Costas asked "Big Mac" several time if steroids had helped him achieve the then single season home run record. On each occaison McGwire responded by saying he had a gift of hand-eye coordination and had always been a power hitter and the only reason for PEDs was to get past injuries.
But, flash forward to today and that feeling of pride no longer exists. Like many others I suspected McGwire was doing steroids at the time. But, I secretly hoped he wasn't and that it was all God given talent. Now, that McGwire has formally admitted he used the performance enhancing drugs (PED) it leaves a bitter-sweet taste in my mouth.
I feel bad for the man, and it was obvious in his interview with Bob Costas Monday night on the MLB network that he was hurting badly about what he had done and then his cover-up. I know everyone makes mistakes and I have no problem in forgiving him as a baseball fan. I also hope that it brings him some peace of mind and lets him get on with his life and new role as the Cardinals' hitting coach.
I only wish McGwire had gone a step further and admitted the steroids gave him an unfair advantage over the pitchers he faced. Granted McGwire was a powerful and gifted athlete, but I have to believe the PEDs gave him additional strength and allowed him to play through injuries he might not have otherwise. During the interview Costas asked "Big Mac" several time if steroids had helped him achieve the then single season home run record. On each occaison McGwire responded by saying he had a gift of hand-eye coordination and had always been a power hitter and the only reason for PEDs was to get past injuries.
January 03, 2010
How 'Bout Them Rams!
The St. Louis Rams wrapped up their season today with a boring 28-6 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners dominated the game and finish the season at 6-10. The Rams end the year at 1-15.
But, that's good news to Rams fans. The loss secures the Rams hold on the top pick in this year's NFL draft. Can you say Ndamukong Suh? (I had to check that spelling three times)!
But, that's good news to Rams fans. The loss secures the Rams hold on the top pick in this year's NFL draft. Can you say Ndamukong Suh? (I had to check that spelling three times)!
January 02, 2010
Blues Fire Murray
The St. Louis Blues have canned their head coach Bruce Murray after a four year run. The Blues have named 39 year old Davis Payne to take over the team on an interim basis.
Murray had a 118-102-38 record during his tenure and took the team to the playoffs for the first time in four years last spring. They were quickly eliminated by Vancouver in four straight games.
Apparently, the Blues front office decided a change was needed because the team was 6-13-3 at home this season, a league worst. The topper may have been the team blowing a 3-1 lead after two periods on New Year's Eve and losing 4-3.
Murray had a 118-102-38 record during his tenure and took the team to the playoffs for the first time in four years last spring. They were quickly eliminated by Vancouver in four straight games.
Apparently, the Blues front office decided a change was needed because the team was 6-13-3 at home this season, a league worst. The topper may have been the team blowing a 3-1 lead after two periods on New Year's Eve and losing 4-3.
Journalistic Abuse of Power
ESPN needs to do the right thing and get rid of Craig James as a football analyst. James took it upon himself to make a story out of his son's treatment at Texas Tech this week. James believed his son was treated poorly by head coach Mike Leach after the younger James complained the practice field was too bright. Leach reportedly responded by having the player placed in a dark room with two trainers while the rest of the team worked out.
Leach has since been fired by Texas Tech University for alleged abuse of players. That and the fact he was preparing a lawsuit against that institution of "higher education".
But, the bottom line is Craig James should have kept his mouth shut. Even if he thought his son was being mistreated or even abused, it wasn't his role to make a story of it. He should have passed along his information to a professional reporter who could have interviewed both sides before going to air with it.
This is not the first time ESPN has permitted this to happen. But, then again no one has ever accused the ABC owned outlet of being a journalistic stronghold. ESPN should stick to showing sports highlights and let the journalistic professionals report the news.
Leach has since been fired by Texas Tech University for alleged abuse of players. That and the fact he was preparing a lawsuit against that institution of "higher education".
But, the bottom line is Craig James should have kept his mouth shut. Even if he thought his son was being mistreated or even abused, it wasn't his role to make a story of it. He should have passed along his information to a professional reporter who could have interviewed both sides before going to air with it.
This is not the first time ESPN has permitted this to happen. But, then again no one has ever accused the ABC owned outlet of being a journalistic stronghold. ESPN should stick to showing sports highlights and let the journalistic professionals report the news.
Happy New Year!
We are two days into the new decade as I write but here's hoping that you and yours have a healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year!
God knows 2009 was not among the best I have experienced. And I am not sorry to see it go. But, as this year begins I am mildly optimistic that it will be a good one.
Hopefully, the US congress will get it's collective head out of it's rear end and pass a meaningful piece of legislation to reform health care. As I see it now the current piece of garbage being looked at by a House - Senate negotiating committee needs to be taken out with the trash before the lawmakers return to DC.
I have not been able to read it all, but from what I see it is poorly written, laden with pork and fat, and really doesn't solve much of anything. As a friend of mine put it..."the bill was written by special interest lobbyists, and put together by congressional staff members. The members of each chamber have no clue what is in it and they will not have to live with it since they have their own health care plan". But, for the rest of us, let's hope Congress and the President come to their senses.
God knows 2009 was not among the best I have experienced. And I am not sorry to see it go. But, as this year begins I am mildly optimistic that it will be a good one.
Hopefully, the US congress will get it's collective head out of it's rear end and pass a meaningful piece of legislation to reform health care. As I see it now the current piece of garbage being looked at by a House - Senate negotiating committee needs to be taken out with the trash before the lawmakers return to DC.
I have not been able to read it all, but from what I see it is poorly written, laden with pork and fat, and really doesn't solve much of anything. As a friend of mine put it..."the bill was written by special interest lobbyists, and put together by congressional staff members. The members of each chamber have no clue what is in it and they will not have to live with it since they have their own health care plan". But, for the rest of us, let's hope Congress and the President come to their senses.
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